Disclaimer: I do not any way own Tenchi Universe or anything else to do with Tenchi, it all belongs to the people at Pioneer. The only thing I do own are any characters I may create for this story. This story starts off as a rewrite of the last episode of Tenchi Universe; I do intend to extend it far beyond this however. I will also be using the light hawk wings from Tenchi Muyo Ryo-Ohki later in the story.
Goodbye isn't Forever-Part 1Tenchi overlooked the scene from a balcony at the royal palace of Jurai. He was having some very troubling thoughts indeed. –Why does it feel wrong to go back home? This doesn't make any sense. But deep down he knew the reason, it was her, the girl he had fallen in love with when she first came into his life, Ayeka Jurai. He didn't know exactly what it was that made him fall in love with her, but it was there nonetheless. It had hurt him more every day that he pretended not to care for her as more than a friend. Why couldn't he just tell her that he loved her? He knew the reason though, Ryoko. Although he had resented her when she first came to his house for lying to him and being a wanted criminal, he had come to realize her as a friend. Even though he loved Ayeka deeply he just couldn't bring himself to hurt Ryoko after all she had done for him and the others; she may even have given her life to take him to save Ayeka from Kagato-. Sasami interrupted his thoughts as she walked onto the balcony behind him.
"What are you thinking about Tenchi?"
"Hmm? Oh nothing Sasami."
"Are you really going to leave?"
"I have to Sasami, Earth is my home, and I'm not prepared to become the Emperor of a galactic nation."
"But Tenchi…"
"I know Sasami, it wasn't an easy decision, but I must go back."
"I know… Tenchi, Ayeka would like to talk to you before you go."
"Thank you Sasami, I'll go find her right now."
With that, Tenchi left to search for Ayeka. As he was searching he began to think about what had happened to the rest of his friends after he had defeated Kagato. Mihoshi and Kiyone had gotten promotions to detective-sergeants at headquarters and seemed to be happy last time he had called them. Washu had held the honorary title of president of the Science Academy, until she was discovered working on a doomsday weapon, of course. Who knew where she might be. Ryoko had disappeared after dropping him off at the palace and no one had heard from her since. And of course dad and grandpa were going back to Earth with him. Ayeka and Sasami were back on Jurai to stay and Ayeka would eventually have to become the Empress and marry. He knew it would hurt a lot to leave Ayeka; but he had to prepare himself to be part of the Jurai royal family before he could ever stay on Jurai and he knew he wasn't prepared to accept royal life yet. He also knew he had to confess his love to her before he left, as well as his intentions; if he didn't he wouldn't be able to live with himself for the hurt it would cause her. Soon he found her in the royal tree nursery.
"Hello Ayeka."
Startled, Ayeka turned to find the man she loves addressing her.
"Tenchi… are you still going to leave?"
"Yes Ayeka, I have to, I'm not ready to join the Jurai royal family."
"But Tenchi, as Emperor you could have anything you want… and I could be close to you. That is all I've ever wanted since I met you and now the impossible has happened and my greatest wish has come true, you have the power of Jurai and are a part of the royal family, you can stay on Jurai and you're even next in line to be Emperor."
"I know Ayeka, but I wasn't raised to rule as you were. I'm not ready to rule an empire yet, I've been trained to be a priest and live a life on Earth."
Ayeka looked up with hope in her eyes as he said 'yet'.
"Yet?"
Tenchi looked into Ayeka's eyes as he prepared to pour his heart out to her.
"Yes Ayeka, yet. You see, as much as I want to stay here with you, I have realized that I know almost nothing about ruling an empire and in the month I have stayed here I also realized that if I tried to learn about such things at the same time as trying to rule, it would be a disaster. When I'm back on Earth, grandpa will be teaching me all he knows about ruling and such things, I had hoped you could come and help too, but I know that you have duties here. I will miss you and think of you everyday we are separated, but I think this is necessary for me to be able to stay by your side and not bring down the Juraian Empire at the same time."
Ayeka was speechless. Tenchi was leaving, but he had said he would be coming back. His reasons for leaving were wise as well, he would indeed be lost in the political games one had to play as Emperor. Then his last statement registered on her mind, he wanted to stay by her side; did this mean what she hoped it did, what she prayed it did?
"You want to stay by my side?"
"Yes Ayeka, I do, I love you. I have loved you almost since I first met you. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner but Ryoko is my friend and you know how much it would hurt her to know that I love you."
Again Ayeka was speechless. Tenchi had just made her truest dream come true, he had professed his love for her. As she looked into his eyes she approached him.
"I love you too Tenchi, very much. You are right; you do need training before you are ready to be Emperor. But I can come with you back to Earth for a while, since it's for training; although I will only be able to stay a few months at a time before I must come back to oversee the court. You realize it may take years for you to learn everything you need to know to survive the political games played in the royal court?"
"Yes Ayeka, I know it may take a long time, but I would do anything to be with you; I love you too much to return to an ordinary life. It will be much easier being able to be with you while I learn the ways of the royal court."
Tenchi took Ayeka into his arms and shared a tender kiss with her. He felt like he was in heaven as the kiss slowly became more passionate. Finally, after a few minutes that seemed to last forever for both of them they came up for air.
"I suppose I should inform the High Council that I will be going back to Earth with you and pack my things as our flight is leaving later today. Is it O.K. if Sasami comes back too?"
"Of course! It wouldn't be the same without her there too. Would you like some help with your luggage after you pack?"
"I would appreciate it Tenchi, thank you."
Tenchi grinned. "Of course, I would do anything for you, remember?"
Ayeka blushes. "Thank you Tenchi, shall we go now?"
"I'll go get my things and tell dad and grandpa that you're coming with us while you talk to the council, I'll meet you at your room ok?"
"Ok Tenchi, I'll tell Sasami and then go talk with the High Council, I'll see you after that."
Tenchi and Ayeka leave the royal tree nursery hand in hand. Tenchi is finally at peace with himself after confessing his love to Ayeka and seems to be very happy. Ayeka has a look of absolute joy on her face as she is walking with Tenchi. Soon they have to go their separate ways and share a quick kiss before they part. Ayeka is a little nervous as she approaches the council's chambers and considers the possible reactions they may have. No matter what, she decides, I am going back to Earth with Tenchi. She comes out of her thoughts as she recognizes the council's entrance right in front of her. She enters the doors with a regal look of confidence. The clerk on duty promptly informs the chairman of Ayeka's arrival as she is walking through the doors. Fortunately the council is on a break at the moment, although all the members are present. While surprised by Princess Ayeka's appearance they are ready to do business immediately.
The chairman of the council addresses the princess. "Welcome Princess Ayeka, how may we be of service today?"
"I have come before you to inform the council that I will be returning to Earth to assist in the training of Tenchi Masaki to become Emperor."
"This is highly unusual Princess Ayeka, why would he be trained on Earth rather than Jurai?"
"It has precedence, and besides, how can he be expected to learn properly on Jurai while nobles are trying to take advantage of his lack of proper knowledge for their own gains?"
"Well, I suppose you do have a point, but as the First Princess you must return to Jurai every four months to oversee the court and you must stay to do so for at least two months."
"Very well, that is reasonable, I will be leaving later today with Princess Sasami, so I will see you in four months time."
"As you wish Princess, good journey."
With that, Ayeka left the council chambers to go talk to Sasami and then to go to her room and pack. While she had been talking with the council Tenchi was informing his dad and grandpa of the change in plans. Grandpa was unfazed, as usual, and his dad was acting like the hentai he sometimes seemed to be.
"So my son has finally found the girl he's going to marry eh? Have you slept with her yet?"
Tenchi was blushing and getting annoyed with his father. "OF COURSE NOT! We aren't married yet! Why do you always have to act so stupid?"
"I'm sorry Tenchi, I guess I just got overexcited thinking about grandkids. I know I act like a hentai sometimes, but all I really want is to see you happy and have some grandchildren to spoil."
"It's ok dad, I guess I might have overreacted a little, just try not to act like that too much, ok?"
"Alright son, why don't you go help Ayeka with her things, me and your grandpa will take care of your stuff."
"Thanks dad, I'll see you on the flight ok?"
"Ok son, see you then."
Tenchi left the room he shared with his dad and grandpa and headed towards Ayeka's room. When he turned the corner to her room he saw her unlocking the door and decided to surprise her. He snuck up on her and hugged her from behind; as she was about to scream he turned her around and kissed her on the lips, quieting the scream.
"Tenchi, you scared me to death."
"I'm sorry, my love, I just wanted to surprise you."
"It's ok, it was a pleasant surprise."
"I'm glad, I intend to 'surprise' you a lot in the future."
"I think I would like that, I'll go pack now, would you like to help me?"
"Yes; after you, my lady."
Ayeka giggled as she walked into her room and Tenchi followed her. They quickly packed her things, Tenchi staying away from her more personal things and just getting stuff like toothpaste and toothbrush and stuff like that. When they had just finished Sasami came with her things.
"We better get going, the flight leaves in an hour and it could take awhile to get everything through."
"Ok Ayeka, here, let me take your things."
"Thank you Tenchi, but I could just have the guardians get those."
"No, I insist, I'm happy to do it. Besides, the guardians should take Sasami's things."
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course, now lets go."
Tenchi, Ayeka, and Sasami leave Ayeka's room and head for the terminals for their flight. They meet Tenchi's dad and grandpa after they've dropped off the luggage and they all head to the gate to board the flight. They still have ten minutes until they can board the flight when they reach the gate so they all sit down.
"It sure will be good to be back home, won't it son?"
"I don't know dad, I had a lot of fun coming out here in space, I'm just glad Ayeka and Sasami could come back with us." Tenchi and Ayeka both blush as he says this.
"I guess I'm too old to appreciate it like you do, I'll enjoy going back to the office and doing routine stuff again."
Tenchi is pleasantly surprised that his dad didn't say anything offensive after his last comment. "Didn't you have any fun out here dad?"
"Of course I did Tenchi, but I don't think I would like staying out here for the rest of my days because I don't like being away from your mother's resting place for too long."
"I understand that dad, but when I leave Earth again in a few years I will visit as often as I can, I don't want to be far from you and mom either."
"I'm glad you feel that way Tenchi, but I am glad that you are doing what you want with your life, don't ever feel bad about leaving Earth."
"Thank you dad." Tenchi hugs his father in a rare father/son moment and then the gate attendant announces that they can board the flight.
"Well, we better get on now, dad, do you mind sitting with grandfather?"
"Of course not son, I want you to enjoy every moment you can with the woman you love, I know all too well how quickly your love can be taken from you." Tenchi, Ayeka, Sasami, Noboyuki, and Katsuhito all have tears in their eyes as Noboyuki says this.
"I'm sorry I keep reminding you of mom today dad, I don't want you to remember that pain."
"Don't be son, it makes me very happy to see you happy with your love, it actually helps soothe some of the pain from your mother's death. I want to see you live your lives to the fullest as I did with your mother; it would bring me a great deal of happiness in my otherwise meaningless life."
Tenchi was speechless at his father's words and just gave him another hug, it seemed that his father's best side was starting to come back out again after being absent since his wife's death. Tenchi broke the embrace with his father and boarded the ship with Ayeka close by his side. He hardly noticed the first class accommodations as he took his seat next to Ayeka. His father and grandfather took the seats in front of them and Sasami had a seat to herself behind them. After the stewardesses checked that everyone was ready to go the ship lifted off for its long journey. Tenchi and Ayeka were just enjoying one another's company and shared their feelings silently. Tenchi put his arm around Ayeka's shoulders and she leaned her head on his shoulder just enjoying being so close to him.
"You said that it could take years for me to learn everything I need to, right?"
"Yes Tenchi, being the Juraian Emperor is a huge responsibility. Although I will help you all I can once you have learned enough to go back to Jurai as the Emperor you will still have much more to learn even then."
"Wow, that is a huge responsibility, but I will do everything in my power to stay by your side. Speaking of which, how long will you be able to stay on Earth with me? I know you must still have your own responsibilities on Jurai."
"I'll be able to stay four months before I must return, and then I will have to stay on Jurai for at least two months before returning to Earth. When you are Emperor I think we should keep a similar schedule of returning to Earth often; I have grown to love the sense of freedom I get from living there and doing chores and just having fun."
"I would like that too, my love, but I will miss you when you must return to Jurai before I become Emperor. We should arrange it so that we are able to share all the Earth holidays of the year together. I would also like to share the holidays of Jurai with you, like this Startica you and Sasami have talked about."
"Oh Tenchi, I want to share all the holidays with you too, and I'm sure you could at least come back with us for Startica, although you should make an appearance at the Startica Festivals for political reasons anyway; don't worry, you just have to let people see you, you wouldn't have to say anything and everyone would understand since you aren't fully trained yet. I only started making speeches at the festivals the year before I met you even with all the training I've had in my life."
"I love you Ayeka and I don't ever want to be separated from you. I will learn as quickly as I can and return to Jurai with you as often as possible."
"I love you too Tenchi, but I don't think we'll be able return to Jurai together very often; the nobles would likely find out about your return and harass us while we were there."
"We'll deal with that if and when it comes up, for now lets just go to sleep, I'm tired and this is going to be a long flight."
"Ok Tenchi, goodnight."
"Goodnight Ayeka."
Tenchi and Ayeka went into a blissful sleep holding each other as close as one could between the ships' seats.
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Well that's the end for now. This is my first attempt at a fanfic and I would appreciate any constructive criticism. I will ignore anyone who feels like flaming me just because of the pairing I choose, I think this is the way it should be and I can express my opinion. Also, Ryoko fans needn't worry, she isn't dead and I will try to make her happy too. Anyways, I have a few ideas of how to continue this using more action than romance but I am more than happy to hear any ideas from you the readers. Thanks for taking the time to read this. By the way, my email address is: metallica_wedo@hotmail.com